Archive for April, 2014

Westmont sophomore Russell Harmening (11-3) of Oceanside has been honored as the Golden State Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year while seniors Brandon Gildea of Stockton and Brent Fukushima of Kaneohe, Hawaii have been named to the All-GSAC team as a catcher and second-baseman respectively. Harmening is the first Warrior to receive Pitcher of the Year honors in the conference’s 28-year history.

“This is a league with several top-quality starting pitchers and for Russell to receive this award is a tremendous accomplishment,” noted Westmont head coach Robert Ruiz. “Russell is a quiet humble competitor with an emphasis on the word ‘competitor’. He knows what he needs to do to have success and is never satisfied when it is not done right. He doesn’t get excited about getting away with a mistake – he wants to fix it. What that has surfaced as on the baseball field is a consistent starter.”

Harmening, who has been the pitcher of record for every game in which he appeared, posted a league-low ERA for both conference only games (2.24) and all games (2.11). His 11 wins tied for the best in the GSAC and his batting average against was also the lowest in the conference at .199 (conference only games) and .200 (all games).

Westmont’s Tim Goranson of Falkenberg, Sweden and Rodrigo Schaefer of Florianopolis, Brazil were honored today by inclusion on the 2014 All-Golden State Athletic Conference Men’s Tennis Team presented by Under Armour.

“Rodrigo and Tim have been two of the four best players we have had since I have been coaching at Westmont,’ said Westmont head coach Mark Basham, “along with Bryan Cox and Carlos Lima.”

Goranson posted a record of 15-3 in singles play, going 6-2 at number one and 9-1 at number two. In doubles play, Goranson has produced a record of 16-3, including a record of 13-2 at number two with partner John Bertram.

“Tim’s overall leadership, enthusiasm and concern for his teammates have been fabulous,” praised Westmont head coach Mark Basham. “His singles and doubles play have been excellent as well. I have been thrilled with his determination and fight in his singles play. His doubles play with John has come on strong.”

Westmont sophomore Lauren Stratman has been named the Golden State Athletic Conference Women’s Tennis Player of the Year. Lauren and her sister Kate were also named to the All-GSAC Women’s Tennis Team Presented by Under Armour.

Lauren Stratman played at the number one singles and doubles positions for the Warriors all season and produced a record of 20-2 in singles play and 15-7 in doubles. In conference play she was undefeated in singles and doubles in both regular season and GSAC Tournament play. In conference singles play, Stratman did not drop a set.

“Lauren brings a tremendous competitive experience,” said Westmont head coach Kendyll McManigal. “She was undefeated in high school and won the Ojai Tournament as a high school player and has a lot of tournament experience as a juniors’ player. She brings a mental toughness and confidence into match after match. She brings a maturity of how to compete that has been noticeable in matches with our conference opponents and NCAA opponents.”

A year after securing its first Golden State Athletic Conference Championship, Westmont Men’s Track and Field repeated as the 2014 conference champions. The Warriors scored 298 points to Concordia’s 219 and Biola’s 169. Westmont Women’s Track and Field claimed second place, scoring 206.25 points to Biola’s 249.5. Concordia finished third with 155.75 points.

Also for the second straight year, Westmont’s Russell Smelley was named the GSAC Men’s Track and Field Coach of the Year.

Westmont’s Evan Bradford won the 1500 meter run in a time of 4:03.09 to secure 10 points for the Warriors. Christian Hatchett won the men’s 400 meter dash in a time of 49.03 and the 200 meter dash in a time of 22.20.

Shane Rowan claimed the GSAC championship title in the long jump, recording a mark of 6.85 meters (22-5.75) and in the triple jump with a mark of 14.38 meters (47-2.25). The latter mark also earned him a provisional qualification into the NAIA Outdoor National Championship.

With an 8-4 victory over #12 The Master’s (37-14, 23-13 GSAC) in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader, #18 Westmont (34-16, 21-15) has earned a berth in next week’s Golden State Athletic Conference Championship tournament. The Warriors also tied the record for the most wins in program history at 34.

Alex Bush (3-3) claimed the win for the Warriors after pitching six and one-third innings of the seven inning game. Bush allowed four runs on nine hits, struck out four and walked two. Hunter Christenson picked up his fourth save of the season when he entered the game with one out and the bases loaded in the top of the seventh.

After giving up two runs in the top of the first inning, the Warriors put together a five-inning bottom half of the first to take the lead for good. With one away, Joey Gonzales walked and then reached third on a single to right by Brandon Gildea.

Westmont Baseball, ranked at number 18 in the NAIA, had one of those days they would rather forget. The Warriors fell to #12 The Master’s (36-13, 22-12) by a score of 13-3. The loss ended Westmont’s 12-game winning streak.

After giving up solo runs in the second and third innings, Westmont gave up seven runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth to fall behind 12-0. Westmont rallied a bit in the seventh inning by scoring three times, but it proved to be too little, too late.

Torin Shaikh (7-4) was charged with the loss after giving up nine runs, eight earned, on 10 hits in five innings of work.

In other GSAC action, Biola’s Boone Farrington hit a two-run walk-off home run to give the Eagles a 5-4 win over #7 San Diego Christian. Vanguard kept its hopes alive for a GSAC Tournament berth with a 5-1 win over #22 Concordia.

For the first time in 26 years, Westmont Baseball (33-14) is ranked in the NAIA National Coaches’ Poll. Westmont is listed as the number 18 team in the poll released today by the national office in Kansas City.

The last time the Warriors were an NAIA ranked team was on May 3, 1988 when Westmont was ranked at number 20 under then head coach John Kirkgard. Later that day, Westmont rallied from a 3-1 deficit to defeat California Lutheran and earn their first Golden State Athletic Conference Baseball Championship. The 1988 team finished the season 30-17.

The best record in program history came a year later when the Warriors finished 34-16 but did not break into the national rankings. At the time, only the top 20 teams were considered ranked. In the final poll of May 15, 1989, Westmont was listed as receiving the 25th most votes (47).

Prior to 1988, Westmont had not been ranked since 1977. Under then head coach Mike Simpson, the Warriors were ranked at number 16. Westmont finished the 1977 season with a record of 29-16.